*** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

[Guest guest]

*** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

Multiple System Atrophy(MSA) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that

affects multiple areas of the brain. You may also know it as Shy-Drager

Syndrome(SDS), Striatonigral Degeneration(SND) or Sporadic(non-hereditary)

Olivopontocerebellar atrophy(OPCA). These three disorders have now been

lumped together and are considered one disorder by the MSA research experts.

MSA is considered to be a sporadic (non-hereditary) disorder.

There are now two major groups of researchers in the world dedicated to

studying MSA. The North American Multiple System Atrophy Study

Group(NAMSA-SG) and the European Multiple System Atrophy Study

Group(EMSA-SG) see http://www.emsa-sg.org

Multiple System Atrophy is recognized by several charitable organizations.

The SDS/MSA Support Group in the US

http://www.shy-drager.com

The Matheson Trust for Multiple System Atrophy in the UK

http://www.msaweb.co.uk

The National Ataxia Foundation in the US consider MSA a non-hereditary

(sporadic) ataxia.

http://www.ataxia.org

The National Dysautonomia Research Foundation in the US consider MSA a

dysautonomia

(disorder of the autonomic nervous system).

http://www.ndrf.org

As well, various Parkinson Disease Societies and Foundations worldwide

recognize MSA as a " Parkinson-Plus " or " Atypical Parkinsons " Disorder.

Information Sheets on MSA:

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic671.htm

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic282.htm

http://www.parkinson.org/atrophy.htm

http://www.ataxia.org/generations/2001summer/gilman.html

There is an online support group mailing list for Multiple System Atrophy at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shydrager

Past issues of " MSA News " are available at the American Autonomic Society

Website:

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/aas

Click on Patient Resources

Regards,

Pam

Multiple System Atrophy Online Support Group

pbower@...

[Guest guest]

Pam,

Don't you want to add the following article(s):

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic354.htm

http://neurologychannel.com/msa/

How about this (in the shydragger page) for how important the cerebellum is.

http://www.harvard-magazine.com/issues/mj99/sorcerer.html

Not a criticism, since you do such a marvelous job. Just a couple more

pages that might help.

Regards,

=jbf=

B. Fisher

[Guest guest]

Hi , I've never seen that one about Dr. Schmahmann... very interesting.

Thanks,

Pam

Re: *** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

> Pam,

>

> Don't you want to add the following article(s):

>

> http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic354.htm

> http://neurologychannel.com/msa/

>

>

> How about this (in the shydragger page) for how important the cerebellum

is.

>

> http://www.harvard-magazine.com/issues/mj99/sorcerer.html

>

> Not a criticism, since you do such a marvelous job. Just a couple more

> pages that might help.

>

>

> Regards,

> =jbf=

>

> B. Fisher

[Guest guest]

Pam, you hadn't seen that set of articles? It's one of the reasons I am SO

emphatic that people exercise verbally, physically, and mentally. The

cerebellum appears to be a VERY good tool at learning and repeating

automatic tasks. So good that it appears our brains figured out they could

harness that tool for uses other than 'muscle memory'. It won't stop the

degeneration, but for a while it allows us to rewire around circuits that no

longer work.

I'll see if I can find other webpages about his work.

Regards,

=jbf=

B. Fisher

[Guest guest]

Nope, that's the first time I've seen that one about Dr. Schmahmann. The

other two I've seen. You guys think I'm good but I *am* only human and

can't read everything! I'm familiar with Dr. Schmahmann as I've emailed

with him in the past and he runs the Ataxia Clinic at Mass General Hospital.

Hugs,

Pam

Re: *** Multiple System Atrophy Information ***

> Pam, you hadn't seen that set of articles? It's one of the reasons I am

SO

> emphatic that people exercise verbally, physically, and mentally. The

> cerebellum appears to be a VERY good tool at learning and repeating

> automatic tasks. So good that it appears our brains figured out they

could

> harness that tool for uses other than 'muscle memory'. It won't stop the

> degeneration, but for a while it allows us to rewire around circuits that

no

> longer work.

>

> I'll see if I can find other webpages about his work.

>

>

> Regards,

> =jbf=

>

> B. Fisher

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pam, here is another page for Dr Schmahmann:

http://neuro-oas.mgh.harvard.edu/schmahmann/

Please note that many researchers continue to bridle against his basic

finding. After all, the cerebellum only controls muscle memory. Right? We

all know that. After all, that's what our mentors said, so it can't be

wrong. All typical of either a basic concept shift or ongoing research.

He has pusblished a few books, but based on the price they are most likely

text books.

Regards,

=jbf=

B. Fisher